J. Newton Terrill

“ Soldiers, our work is done! These terrible days of war are over. Throughout the land soldiers' societies exist. Let every man that was a soldier join these societies, and do all in their power to help those widows and orphans whose husbands and fathers fill a soldier's grave, and ever remember that our flag, the stars and stripes, must wave o'er this Glorious Union now and forever. As a country we have no equal. ”

“ Officers and men, with spades and picks, were busily engaged in digging and erecting fortifications in mud knee deep. A strong picket force was thrown out on all roads every night, each regiment sending more than half of their men. The works were at last finished, and Maryland Heights were considered as impregnable—a second Gibraltar—its frowning batteries and immense fortifications, manned by one division, were sufficient to hold the whole rebel army in check. While there an alarm spread that the enemy were coming. The men had never smelt powder and were as new recruits. ”

“ Meade was greatly censured by the people of the North for allowing the enemy to escape, but Lee had yet a large army and victory to our forces not altogether certain. The Potomac army by rapid marching and hard fighting, had driven the enemy from our soil, and the heart-felt thanks of millions of souls went up to God in praise. But still more was to be done; the rebels were not conquered; large armies were yet to be encountered and subdued; miles of territory hostile to the government to be occupied, and treason crushed forever. ”

“ Fourteen months had elapsed since the 14th regiment had left Monocacy Bridge, but the place looked natural; none dreamed that on the morrow a terrible battle would be fought on the old camping ground; grass and weeds had grown in abundance, and scarcely a vestige of the former camp could be seen. The regiment with the troops that lay there, marched up to Frederick City, and then around a circuit of ten miles, but nothing of the enemy could be seen, and halting at ten o'clock, near the bridge, in line of battle. ”

“ The enemy poured grape and cannister into our retreating columns, mowing down the men like grass. More than one-half of the division were killed and wounded; several hid in the woods and were captured next day. It was now every man for himself; knapsacks, haversacks, and even canteens were thrown away. The main force of the enemy moved on the Georgetown Pike to Washington, the cavalry and a portion of the infantry following the retreating column as far as New Market, six miles distance. It was a hard fought battle, but what could five thousand men do against thirty thousand? ”

“ The Regiment was encamped on the spot where Gen. Reno fell at the battle of Antietam, a tree marking the spot. It was on the plantation of Dr. Wise, his well being filled with dead rebels thrown in for burial. Many a parent or loving wife will never know their fate, thinking perhaps they were prisoners, and at the close of the war would return to their homes; but they are now no more. With thousands of Union soldiers their bones rest on Southern soil, there to remain until the last trump shall sound to summon them to their final account before a just and holy God. ”

“ The battle of Cedar Creek will long be remembered by the 6th corps. At first driven back with severe loss, they in turn rallied, and to the brave 6th corps will be attributed the tide of battle turning in our favor; for, had they retreated in such confusion as the other corps, the enemy would have been victorious. But the Wilderness, and those hard-fought battles of the Potomac army, were lessons not easily forgotten, and the 6th corps, as usual, was ready for any emergency. The 2d division lost heavily in men, more so than the rest, as our lines fell back. ”

“ On the afternoon of 17th, the column marched eight miles, very slowly, passing Sandy Hook and crossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry on pontoons. For the first time our regiment trod the sacred soil of Virginia. Alas! how few returned of that noble band of Jersey boys, the bravest of the brave, that for the first time stood on that once sacred, but now polluted, ground. The ravages of war had laid the country waste, and destitution everywhere [24] met the eye. An old dilapidated bridge crossed the Shenandoah, and the troops marched over in single file, moving around Louden Heights. ”

“ Daylight dawned slowly to the men, whose hearts were already relieved, as it was noticed that the enemy's firing became more feeble. Gen. Wright's assertion was fulfilled, that he would go through them like a knife, as their entire line was captured, together with thousands of prisoners, numerous pieces of artillery and many battle flags. It was the most complete [119] achievement of the war, and the first rays of the morning's sun beamed on the ramparts of the captured forts with the rebel army in full retreat. To retain what we had gained was necessary to gain more ”

“ Johnson had not yet surrendered, and as each day passed reports were circulated among the men, that the Potomac army was to march in his rear. Scarcely had the men commenced to rejoice at their success, when there came a blow that was more terrible than any defeat. In camp at Burkesville the men little knew what calamity was to befall the nation. A dispatch was sent from Washington that our beloved President had been assassinated. Our noble leader who for the last four years had guided our nation in the midst of war was foully stricken down by the assassin's hand. ”

“ The details of those battles, which for endurance and bravery on the part of the soldiery, have rarely been surpassed, are too fresh in the minds of every one to be repeated again. During the campaign of forty-three days from the Rapidan to James River, the army had to be supplied from an ever-shifting base by wagons, over narrow roads and through a densely wooded country, with a lack of wharves at each new base at which to conveniently discharge vessels. ”

“ Our beloved country, healed of its wounds, to-day stands among other powers a free and independent nation forever. Liberty, that priceless gem, was purchased at a fearful cost. But those brave men who now live will ever, with proud step and beaming eye, exclaim with emotion, that with my help the country was saved. ”

“ Attaching great importance to the possession of Petersburg, General Smith's command, the 18th army corps was sent back to Bermuda Hundred via White House, to reach there in advance of the army of the Potomac. This was for the express purpose of capturing Petersburg, if possible, before the enemy became aware of our intentions and re-enforce the place. The 1st New Jersey regiment, whose term of office had now expired, were relieved from the front and sent home; they bade their comrades good-bye with happy hearts, soon to meet their loved ones at home. ”

“ Those men who in the hour of peril remained at home and did all in their power to help along the glorious cause, and by their actions showed that they respected a soldier, will be looked upon by the returned veterans as men; but those mean sneaking Copperheads that were forever denouncing the North and were in [132] favor of the South, will be despised by us for their meanness. New Jersey is redeemed, and to-day a loyal Governor sits in his seat at Trenton, a soldier's friend. What we have passed through can be known only to us, and now happy at our homes are content. ”

“ Never more shall a mother's kiss be pressed upon his brow as he sleeps in his little cot in the humble chamber of the old homestead; but in the heart of a redeemed nation his memory shall live forever. ”

“ In a few hours a large army had assembled at Washington, with the citizens of the place and every foot of ground guarded; every avenue bristling with cannon. It was three days march for the enemy from Moncacy and in that time Washington was in a state of defence; all the forts were manned and the heavy guns loaded and shotted. Citizens were armed and formed in companies, all work being suspended. The remnant of the division reached the Baltimore pike, retreating rapidly toward Baltimore, marching all night, passing through New Market, Mount Airy and several small villages along the route ”

“ In pushing up the Shenandoah Valley, where it is expected you will have to go first or last, it is desirable that nothing should be left to invite the enemy to return. Take all provisions, forage and stock wanted for your command, and such as cannot be consumed destroy. It is not desirable that the buildings should be destroyed; they should rather be protected, but the people should be informed that as long as an army can subsist among them, recurrences of these raids must be expected, and we are determined to stop them at all hazards. ”

“ The 6th corps having the name of marching farther than any corps in the army and were called Wright's walkers, for their rapidity in marching; horses and mules fell lifeless along the road and were speedily replaced by others, but the men that fell never to rise again could not be replaced. The ambulances were full, and every baggage wagon with those that could not walk. The army now numbered over forty thousand men, all under command of Major General Wright, and was called the middle military division, composed of the 6th, 8th and 19th army corps, with sixty pieces of artillery. ”

“ The troops remained in camp on the banks of the Rappahannock five weeks, preparing for the Fall campaign. The 14th had now been in the army one year, and had not thus far engaged in conflict with the enemy; several times forming line of battle, every moment expecting to attack. For a time we were fortunate, but, before the term of our enlistment had expired, we were destined to see more marching and more fighting than any regiment from New Jersey. Since the battle of Gettysburgh, there had been no fighting of importance, and all were looking for a forward movement. ”

“ The enemy, by merciless conscription, had pressed every man and boy in the field capable of bearing arms, leaving none but the negroes at home to do the work. Each Friday there was an execution of some kind in the army; men were hung for deserting to the enemy, and others were shot for jumping bounties and then deserting. It soon became a common thing, but it was necessary as a lesson to others that these men should be executed. The troops had lain in camp some time, when Grant again attempted to take the South-side Road. ”

“ The enemy were now across the Potomac in force, moving northward for Pennsylvania, under command of their best and ablest leader, General Lee, marching the same road they did the previous year, when under command of their wily and strategic leader, Stonewall Jackson, now no more. Lee, his superior in every respect, was now in full command of all the armies of the Confederate States, superintending the army of northern Virginia in person. Our army was commanded by Fighting Joe Hooker, Burnside's successor. Both armies were straining every nerve. Defeat to us was death. ”

“ The loss on both sides was heavy; the 14th, as usual, fought well, losing their share of men in killed and wounded. The result of this fight proved that the enthusiasm and energy of Lee's troops had dwindled down to zero. They fought like hopeless, not desperate, men; the spirit which animated them two years ago had been broken by repeated defeats, and tamed by short rations. The new position gained was, on Sunday morning, March 26, held by the entire 6th corps, ready to repel any attack the enemy would make. ”

“ Their armies believed this, and it produced a morale which could only be overcome by desperate and continuous hard fighting. The battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna and Cold Harbor, bloody and terrible as they were on our side, were even more damaging to the enemy, and so crippled them as to make them wary ever after of taking the offensive. Their losses in men were probably not so great, owing to the fact that we were, save in the Wilderness, almost invariably the attacking party, and when they did attack it was in the open field. ”

“ Let not the thoughts of former days and past hardships deter us from again rushing to arms, for without a country we are as nothing. With proud hearts we think of the past, knowing and feeling that we have done our duty. ”

“ The 3d division deserves all the praise for saving the National Capital; holding them in check so long at Monocacy, enabled other troops to arrive, but not a moment too soon. A severe skirmish ensued, in which we lost about two hundred in killed and wounded; the enemy's loss supposed to be greater. All was anxiety in the city, as the fighting was but three miles distant, near Tennelly Town, but when the veterans from the Potomac army arrived they were loudly cheered, and were treated well. President Lincoln and members of the Cabinet were present in Fort Stephens, witnessing the fight ”

“ With irresistible force they broke through the rebel line, in which months of labor had been expended, and then turning the rebel guns on other hostile forts, they swept along the rebel line for a distance of five miles, capturing men, guns and colors. When it is remembered how much depended on them, and what would have been the consequence if they failed, the country will treasure as household words the names of Wright, Getty, Seymour, Wheaton, and other generals who led the oft-tried but never defeated men of the 6th corps to victory, on the morning of Sunday, April 2d. ”

“ The army in the east and west had thus far acted independently and without concert, like a baulky team, no two ever pulling together, enabling the enemy to use to great advantage his inferior lines of communication for transporting troops from east to west, re-enforcing the army most vigorously pressed, and enabling them to furlough large numbers during seasons of inactivity on our part, to go to their homes and do the work of producing for the support of their armies. ”

“ Before night the whole army was safe across the Rapidan, the 5th and 6th corps crossing at Germania's Ford, and the 2d corps crossing at United States Ford; the cavalry under Major General Sheridan moving in advance with the greater part of the trains, numbering about 4,000 wagons, meeting with but slight opposition; passed the railroad we lay before, changing quarters with Birney's division. At last the army has moved; the Summer campaign has commenced, and the North will soon look for stirring news; with Grant as leader there is no such word as fail. ”

“ The disastrous defeat of McClellan from before Richmond has awakened a feeling among the Northern people that something more active must be done, that we are dealing with a wily foe prepared for war and bent upon the destruction of our once happy and prosperous Union. ”

“ The whole rebel army was now in full retreat before our victorious troops. Petersburg was captured by the 6th corps and the Southside road reached and torn up for many miles. The result of this day's fight was the capture of Petersburg with twelve thousand prisoners, many thousand stand of arms, and the utter rout of the rebel army. The most wicked of all rebellions had now absolutely received its death-blow, and was so positively crushed that no power on earth could save it. Lee's retreat proved an utter rout. At midnight on Sunday, Richmond was evacuated, Jeff. ”